Monday 31 July 2017
A SALFORD academic is working with former world champion boxer Frank Bruno on a campaign to improve people’s mental health through a non-contact version of the sport.
Steve Myers, Director of Society
at the University of Salford’s School of Health and Society, has been appointed
as Chair of the Frank Bruno Foundation after the legendary British heavyweight
visited the University’s Mary Seacole Building for a board meeting.
Steve, a qualified social worker
who has worked with young people experiencing emotional and behavioural
challenges, was approached by the charity because of his expertise in
organising schemes to help people with mental health problems.
The foundation aims to provide a
combination of group counselling sessions with structured non-contact boxing
training sessions to relieve the emotional and mental distress that affects the
mental health of children, young people and adults.
These training sessions, which
will include hitting pads, shadow boxing and performing shuttle runs, reduce
stress levels while increasing cardiovascular fitness, stamina and hand-eye
coordination.
The foundation was set up by the
former WBC heavyweight boxing champion earlier this year following his own
highly-publicised battles with mental health issues.
Steve said: “We are aiming to
bring together the benefits of non-contact boxing with a solution focused well-being
programme to help people to develop a healthier body and a healthier mind,
building on their existing physical and emotional strengths and achievements.
“Our aspiration is that people
will use the skills they learn on the programme to develop a happier, more
fulfilling and successful future. We are looking forward to developing our
partnership between The Frank Bruno Foundation, the School of Health and Society
and the wider university to help fight back against the stigma of mental
ill-health.”